Key takeaways
- Ready apartment sales hit AED 5.28 billion in October across 2,988 deals, up about 26 percent in value on September and the highest since February.
- Resale sales were still about 28 percent lower than October 2025, and typical prices were nearly flat (AED 1,524 per sq ft against AED 1,555).
- Off-plan was still 64 percent of all sales and 55 percent of the value.
- My estimated gross yield on a typical apartment is about 5.5 percent, before service charges and vacancy.
On 2 November, Arabian Business reported that Dubai ready apartment sales rose to AED 5.28 billion in October, using Dubai Land Department data. That is the best month since February.
One month is not a trend. But it tells us where buyers are putting money right now.
What happened to Dubai ready apartment sales in October
- The headline: 2,988 ready apartment deals worth AED 5.28 billion. September had 2,437 deals worth about AED 4.2 billion, so volume rose 22.6 percent and value 25.7 percent.
- The busiest area: Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) had the most deals, 384, worth AED 364.8 million. Business Bay had fewer (237) but the highest value, AED 448.6 million.
- The top end: 44 ready apartments sold for AED 10 million or more, worth AED 700 million together. Palm Jumeirah took 18 of them.
For context, February was the strongest month of 2026, with 3,844 deals worth AED 6.85 billion. So this is a recovery, not a record.
Ready against off-plan: the full picture
The report above covers ready apartments only. To see the whole market, I compared the official figures for October 2025 and October 2026.
| All property types | Oct 2025 | Oct 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resale sales | 5,939 | 4,289 | -28% |
| Off-plan sales (from developers) | 13,911 | 7,609 | -45% |
| Resale share of all sales | 30% | 36% | +6 points |
| Resale apartments, typical price per sq ft | AED 1,555 | AED 1,524 | -2% |
| Resale apartments, typical price | AED 1.22 million | AED 1.22 million | +1% |
Source: Dubai Land Department (DLD) transaction data, October 2025 and October 2026. Typical price = median. Rounded. October 2026 can still rise a little as late registrations come in.
Two things stand out. Both segments sold less than a year ago, but resale held up better, so its share grew from 30 to 36 percent. And off-plan is still 64 percent of all sales and about 55 percent of the value. Ready homes are gaining ground, not taking over.
What a ready apartment rents for
In October 2026, 17,545 new apartment leases were registered, 7 percent more than a year earlier. The typical new-lease rent was AED 67,815, down from AED 72,000, about 6 percent lower.
Divide that rent by the typical resale apartment price of about AED 1.22 million and you get a gross yield of about 5.5 percent. This is my own estimate across all apartment sizes. It ignores service charges, vacancy and fees. Yields differ a lot by area and building, so check each one. My rental market update explains why rents for new tenants have eased.
What it means if you are buying
- Ready suits you if you want rent now. The home is finished, you can see it and a tenant can move in quickly.
- Off-plan suits you if you want a lower entry price and a payment plan. My off-plan market update covers launches and handovers.
- Check the commission. On a ready home the buyer normally pays 2 percent plus VAT. On off-plan the developer always pays the agent, never you.
- Count every cost. My guide to Dubai buying costs has every fee in one table.
I like seeing ready apartments move. It shows buyers who want a finished home, a view of the building and rent from day one are active again.
But ready and off-plan are two good tools for two different goals. The right choice depends on your budget, your timeline and how you plan to use the home.
If you tell me what you are aiming for, I will show you what similar homes sold and rented for last month.
Stefano Iannotti
Frequently asked questions
How much did Dubai ready apartment sales rise in October 2026?
According to Arabian Business on 2 November 2026, using Dubai Land Department data, ready apartment sales reached AED 5.28 billion across 2,988 deals in October. That is 25.7 percent more in value and 22.6 percent more in number than September, and the highest monthly value since February.
Are Dubai resale apartment prices going up?
Not by much. In October 2026 the typical resale apartment price was about AED 1.22 million, almost the same as October 2025, and the typical price per square foot was AED 1,524 against AED 1,555 (Dubai Land Department (DLD) transaction data, October 2025 and October 2026).
What is the rental yield on a Dubai apartment right now?
My estimate for October 2026 is a gross yield of about 5.5 percent. It divides the typical new-lease apartment rent of AED 67,815 by the typical resale apartment price of about AED 1.22 million, across all sizes. It is before service charges, fees and vacancy, so your net return will be lower.
Do I pay the agent commission when I buy?
On a ready or resale home, the buyer usually pays the agent 2 percent plus VAT. On off-plan purchases the developer always pays the agent commission and the buyer never does.
Comparing ready and off-plan?
Send me your budget and goal and I'll show you what similar homes have really sold and rented for in the DLD data. No obligation.
Stefano Iannotti
Real estate advisor in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, specialising in off-plan property for local and international buyers. RERA Broker Card No. 84308. Speaks Italian, English and Spanish.